Digital Commons Network^™

Creating A Pipeline To Increase Diversity In Executive Leadership Positions, Trarina Harris

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Minority nurse leader presence at the executive leadership level is suboptimal, with insufficient pathways to increase representation. The lack of diversity in executive leadership threatens efforts to improve patient care and reduce disparities (Jerome Harris, 2021).

Local Problem: Practices to increase the diversity of executive nurse leaders at a pediatric medical center have had very little to no impact. Frontline nurses and nurse executives are not racially or ethnically representative of the increasingly minority patient populations served.

Context: As a commitment to increasing workforce diversity, the medical center developed an executive-level Racial Equity Taskforce, which aligned with the …

Building Confidence Of Academic Library Staff In The Selection Of Culturally Authentic Native American Picture Books, Cassondra Leeport

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study aimed to explore the confidence and ability of library staff to select and identify culturally authentic Native American picture books. The researcher, a self-identified Native American, developed a tool designed to assist in library staff in identifying key elements of a picture book that lend themselves to a work being culturally authentic. Assisting patrons in selecting materials is a key element in the library profession. The setting of this research is a university with a large Professional Education Program as well as a documented dedication to serving Native students and surrounding tribal communities and the participants of the …

Afterlife: Exploring And Accepting Ideas Through Children's Literature, Kiley Vandevelde

Honors Projects

This project is a written and illustrated book for children to assist with the grieving process by exploring different cultural representations of the afterlife. Death is an inescapable part of the human condition. Belief in an afterlife can help children retain a connection to the deceased and can be a useful tool for healing. While very young children (age four to five) inherently believe in existence after death, this decreases after the age of ten. This book targets children aged seven to ten and explains the benefit to believing in an afterlife. It explores different ideas surrounding the afterlife and …

Can Gender Pronouns In Interview Questions Work As Nudges?, Fei Lu

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations

Organizations that are historically male-dominated have struggled to attract and retain an equitable representation of women (Debs et al., 2021; Germain et al., 2012; Hall et al., 2018) Using the two systems processing model from Cognitive Psychology, this study assessed whether gender pronouns can function as environmental cues (“nudges”) to disrupt the patterns of mental models on biases and stereotypes. It was proposed that participants can be “nudged” to decrease the impact of gender stereotype biases in the interview process in male-dominated professions (e.g., Information Technology) such that pronouns used in the interview questions will interact with the interviewee’s gender. …

The Interdisciplinary Work Of Senga Nengudi: How Abjection In Art Can Lead To Greater Deai In Exhibition Spaces By Danielle Lynne Paswaters, Danielle Lynne Paswaters

Theses and Dissertations

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) have become popular topics in today’s increasingly divisive and political climate. This thesis investigates how the abject in art challenges social structures and institutional norms through an analysis of the interdisciplinary work of Senga Nengudi. While this conversation has been started by Leticia Alvarado regarding the work of Ana Mendieta, there is no scholarship on the more specific ways that Nengudi’s work employs the concept of Blackness itself as abject. This gap in literature is not only a disservice to the work of Nengudi, but also to scholars and institutions that aim to understand …

Kudzu Invasion And Control In Southern Upland Forests Of Mississippi, Gina M. Profetto

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.), is a common invasive species throughout the American South. In southern upland mixed oak-pine forests of Mississippi, kudzu invasion generally and indiscriminately suppressed the pre-invasion plant community. Three different control methods reduced kudzu density but differed in the level of reduction achieved and in their effects on the pre-existing plant community. A combination of burning and herbicides produced the most desirable outcome in terms of restoring the pre-invasion community. Kudzu invasion significantly increased nitrate pools compared to control sites, but had no effect on ammonium or nitrite, or on the microbial processes of mineralization …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Undergraduate Research Motivations At The University Of Nebraska Omaha (Uno), Afrah F. Rasheed

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Undergraduate research provides unique experiences and skill sets that are applicable in various careers. However, there has been an increasing need for greater diversity among researchers, namely undergraduate researchers, and the motivations behind undergraduate research participation need to be further explored. The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic information of undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), and what motivations were the most prevalent in undergraduate research at UNO. A mixed-methods approach was utilized through a quantitative portion and a qualitative portion. The quantitative portion was a web-based survey which gauged for 22 independent …

Why Culture Matters: The Importance And Effectiveness Of Creating A Multicultural Classroom When Teaching Elementary School Students In Public Schools, Juztina M. Rodriguez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project is to analyze the benefits of having a multicultural classroom in elementary schools. Multicultural education refers to any form of education or teaching that incorporates the histories, texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds. Teaching about multiculturalism can increase not only the teacher's knowledge, but also the students' learning. From this Capstone project the researchers learned how some teachers and parents feel about having different cultures being taught in the classroom. Based on the information that is collected the researchers found ways to incorporate multiculturalism. Upon interviewing four elementary teachers …

Sense Of Belonging Among Dual Enrolled First-Year Students In Grand Cayman: Perceptions, Experiences, And Culturally Engaging Campus Environments, Patricia E. Robinson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how the experiences, perceptions, and culturally engaging campus environments build a sense of belonging and persistence among first-year dual-enrolled college students in a unique and diverse nation in the Western Caribbean (Greater Antilles) is an area of inquiry that had yet to be researched prior to this study. Using a case study qualitative research approach that included 10 individual semi-structured interviews, document elicitation of three university advertised campus events posts, and one focus group session, participants shared their experiences and perceptions of being a first-year dual-enrolled student and to what extent their campus’ environments influenced their sense of belonging. …

“Who We Are On Paper”: Celebrating Writing Identity And Diversity With High School Seniors In A Dialogic Ela Classroom, Karen Larson Buechner

Theses & Dissertations

Grounded in theory that views language and writing as inextricable from the social event within which it occurs, the purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore how the dialogue produced within the context of a detracked English Language Arts (ELA) classroom contributed to students’ perceptions of their writing identity. The class consisted of a racially, socioeconomically, and academically diverse group of 12th-grade students enrolled in a suburban, public high school. Findings illustrated that writing identity was enacted through multiple iterations of literacy processes embedded in a curriculum that was culturally responsive and implemented through dialogic methods. The analysis of …

Addressing The Lack Of Availability In Diverse Skin Tone Options For Performance Fabric, Jessica Batey

Honors College Theses

The following research addresses the lack of availability in diverse skin tone options for performance fabric. The project will discuss the struggles people of color face when finding fabrics that accurately match their skin tone and the difficulties in sourcing the materials needed to successfully design a garment. The research gathered will be used to produce a collection of 4 looks using nude mesh fabrics that are readily available to the average consumer. The garments within the collection will be designed to match the skin color of 4 models. The collection’s theme will be based around the 4 cardinal witches …

A Systematic Review And Reflection On The Dimensions Of Diversity Represented In Behavior Analytic Research, Jodie Waits

LSU Master's Theses

The United States continues to transition towards a majority-minority composition and this trend has most rapidly emerged for school-aged children. Work with diverse populations calls for specialized skills and training experiences, but these are not strongly reflected in most training programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The present review was conducted to evaluate the scope and range of the dimensions of diversity included in Behavior Analytic research (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc.), as well as to compile recommendations related to culturally responsive practice in ABA. The search revealed a total of 50 publications featuring a dimension of diversity. These works …

Serving Diverse Populations In The Library Media Program, Jennifer Schmidt

Culminating Projects in Information Media

Not required

Physician’S Assistants As Agents Of Change: Advocating For Bilingual And Culturally Competent Health Care Resources In The Central Kentucky Hispanic Latino Community, Britany Guerrero

Honors Theses

The Hispanic Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic population that is experiencing barriers to receive healthcare. Throughout my Honors Thesis I will identify: the lack of resources in Central Kentucky pertaining to healthcare, the flaws in our healthcare system that are affecting our Latino Community, the need for healthcare professionals with bilingual competency, and how PA’s can better serve our Latino Community. I will be using research and my experience through service learning with a Physician Assistant in the local Latino community to critically analyze the current situation and provide data-driven solutions. The purpose of bringing this topic to …

Advertising And Social Media Strategy For America’S National Parks: A Case Study Of Congaree National Park, Abigail Gallup

Senior Theses

Advertising for America’s National Parks comes in many different forms but is highly limited for national parks with lower visitation rates and less funding. Congaree National Park located just outside of Columbia, South Carolina has a small budget for advertising and goals to increase their visitation rates and visitor diversity. Particularly, Congaree rangers hope to increase visitation from the local Black community which surrounds Congaree National Park. Rangers at Congaree mainly use social media to advertise but have also investigated other forms of advertising and fundraising as well, including a Friends of Congaree Swamp license plate. This thesis will show …

Factors That Influence The Choice To Major In Stem For Latino And Non-Latino Students And Professionals, Ivan Olivas

Honors Theses

Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States, with 18.5 percent of the nation’s population. However, when it comes to Latinos in STEM, they represent only 8 percent of all STEM workers. This disparity can be largely traced to disproportionally low numbers in graduation rates in high school and college, in conjunction with the lack of exposure to STEM fields and access to rigorous K-12 curriculums associated with STEM pathways. The survey incorporated into this research investigates which factors influence Latinos in choosing a STEM major. The survey questions focused on high school academics, parental educational attainment, home …

How To Incorporate Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Into Physician Assistant Curriculums: An Exploratory Research Project From The Perspective Of A Prospective Pa Student, Madison Rawnsley

Honors Program Contracts

No abstract provided.

The Power Of Language And Its Integral Role In Lgbtq+ Inclusion In Education, Jay Carr

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Abstract

Carr, J. (2021). The Power of Language and Its Integral Role in LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education Language plays a central role in our daily lives; it is through language that we name, identify, and differentiate everyone and everything in our world. It is through language that dominant, heteronormative discourses have been established surrounding gender and sexuality. Heteronormativity positions heterosexual and cisgender (identifying with the sex / gender assigned at birth) identities as normal and natural, while excluding and oppressing LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer / questioning, + other non-conforming identities) individuals. Despite a heavy push for ‘diversity’ and …

Hazy Team Composition Processes: Shared Team Leadership, A Strategy To Team Excellence In Higher Education, Pervaiz Masih

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teamwork is an emergent property of efficacious organizations. Team-based and result-oriented organizational structures are gaining momentum, increasing 6% each year. Over 80% of organizations globally deploy teams by putting ordinary people to work together for extraordinary performance. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center is a unique institute that teaches foreign languages in an immersive and team-based environment. This mixed-methods research study investigated (a) the teaching team composition processes, (b) the applicability of trust and diversity in team composition, and (c) the impact of shared team leadership in the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Data were collected from 82 …

Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In Alberta Accredited International Schools: Bridging Modern And Traditional Societal Perspectives In Educational Practice, Krista J. Schultz

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

International schools accredited by Western-based educational paradigms encounter specific challenges within the theoretical framework of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as perceived through the lens of social justice in education. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) considers, from the context of modern and traditional societies, the change readiness of the Alberta Accredited International Schools program (AAIS) surrounding the practice of EDI. Generalized expectations of universal application present with factors that may provide educational leaders with the framework to deliberate critical theory motivating practice. Modernist and traditionalist societal views of EDI, and the translation of pedagogical frameworks through educational reform, are considered. …

Igniting Change In Equity, Diversity And Inclusion At A Canadian Community College Coll, Jennifer Phyllis Gorman

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

This organizational improvement plan addresses the need to develop an equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy that will lead to systematic institutional and cultural change at Mountain College (a pseudonym). This organizational improvement plan draws upon transformational and ethical leadership principles to gain support and momentum from across all levels of the College to develop a shared vision for change and reach the new organizational state. Bolman and Deal's (2013) four frames have been used as a strategic tool to examine Mountain College and identify the actions and decisions the team can take in the organizational improvement process. Following this analysis, …

Toward A More Just And Truly International Education, Jeff Leppard

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

International schools have proliferated in the last 20 years. Although one might expect students who attend such schools to represent a heterogenous, diverse population, in reality, many schools have selective admissions practices, and their education has a strong western influence derived from the few Anglophone countries from which the majority of their teachers come. The problem of practice addressed is a lack of alignment between one school’s mission and values and school practices and curricula that inadvertently continue to promote exclusion and privilege. This organizational improvement plan proposes (a) creating an admissions policy and structure that ensures that the school …

Onboarding Autism Employees In Technology Industry, Heung-For Cheng

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population experiences high unemployment, underemployment, and job turnover. Many people with autism have exceptional skills in areas, such as science, mathematics, and art. Companies in the technology industry are interested in tapping into the ASD talent pool because the industry cannot find enough qualified job applicants to meet the hiring demand. Few studies have focused on understanding how to help onboard ASD employees. Understanding the onboarding process can help technology firms retain ASD employees. In return, retaining this talent pool in the technology industry can continue to bring innovation. This research examined how a workplace …

"Not In My Town": A Community's Response To Water And Soil Pollution, Karolina Staros

Dissertations

At the core of this dissertation is the acknowledgment that social movements are complex networks of people who face many obstacles in their efforts to achieve social change. One critique of social movements is that their goals and mission are limited to short term ideas and not long-term, systemic transformation. The lack of long term, systemic change can be observed when social movement groups mobilize for the same cause over and over again with what appears to be little progress over a period of time. The exact blueprint for a social movement’s success does not exist, but it is posited …

The Effectiveness Of A Diversity And Inclusion Intervention In Higher Education In The Context Of Covid-19, Katherine Brown D'Souza

All Dissertations

Previous research has shown that diversity in the workplace can have varying effects, depending on how well organizations manage their workforce diversity (Mor Barak et al., 2016). When organizations properly manage their workforce, they can reap the benefits of diversity while avoiding the pitfalls. Diversity training interventions are one way many organizations choose to manage their diverse workforces effectively while creating organizational climates of inclusion (Kalinoski et al., 2013). The present study explored the impact of four different diversity training interventions designed to promote greater awareness of gender and racial bias in academia and to promote bias reduction efforts. Compared …

Embodying Equity: Change Management Strategies For Addressing Racial Equity In Environmental Nonprofits, Brittany Jezouit

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects

Recent social movements and the urgency of the climate crisis have heightened awareness of the exclusion of people of color within the environmental movement. While many environmental nonprofits are working to address racial equity within their organizations, they are often not well-equipped with the tools, tactics, and change management strategies to successfully execute their goals. Using data from case studies via qualitative interviews with local Richmond, VA environmental nonprofit leaders, this study aims to combine insights from nonprofit leaders doing racial equity work with key theories of change from the ProSci ADKAR model, John Kotter’s 8-Step Process for Leading Change, …

Synthesizing Phylogeography And Community Ecology To Understand Patterns Of Community Diversity, Trevor J. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Community ecology is the study of the patterns and processes governing species abundance, distribution, and diversity within and between communities. Likewise, phylogeography is the study of the historic processes controlling genetic diversity across space. Both fields investigate diversity, albeit at different temporal, spatial and taxonomic scales and therefore have varying assumptions. Community ecology typically focuses on contemporary mechanisms whereas phylogeography studies historic ones. However, new research has discovered that both genetic and community diversity can be influenced by contemporary and historic processes in tandem. As such, a growing number of researchers have called for greater integration of phylogeography and ecology …

Views From The Margins: A Multiple-Case Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Senior-Level Student Affairs Administrators, Tamekka L. Cornelius

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of senior-level Black women student affairs administrators at four-year degree granting institutions. Moreover, this study documents Black women in nonfaculty administrative roles in student affairs at both predominately White institutions (PWIs) and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). A multiple case study research design was used to investigate this phenomenon. Two frameworks were used to ground the study: Black feminist thought and representational bureaucracy. The following questions guided it: (1) What are the work experiences of Black women in senior leadership positions in student affairs? (2) What barriers/issues to obtaining senior leadership …

Inclusivity In Children’S Services Within The School And Public Library, Phoebe Levin

Student Theses

The children's library has the potential to not only aid in knowledge-seeking conquests but to help establish a relationship of acceptance between the differences spewing from the child's own self, and the diversity of their peers. The increasing rate of underrepresented peoples in America, and the growing number of representative titles, have contributed to the trend of diversity and inclusivity in the library.

The efforts to make the library diverse and representative have been an ongoing struggle, yet in recent times efforts have proved that the exposure of diversity and inclusivity is beneficial to children. While examining how diversity and …

Mutable Landscapes: Diversity Through The Lens Of The Earth's Biomass, Ilya Iskhakov

Masters Theses

This thesis explores conditions of mutability in the landscape through the lens of the Earth’s biomass, particularly the living beings whose systemic, functional and aesthetic values are misrepresented or undervalued. Relegated to the abandoned, derelict and forgotten landscapes, the presence of these living things has often come to represent decay, blight, lack of resources, and care. However, in the light of the global environmental crisis and in search of viable solutions to clean up the environment and curb greenhouse gas emissions, it has become apparent that the spontaneous, opportunistic qualities of these living beings can provide unparalleled opportunities to do …